Most school-choice proponents trace the roots of the current movement to Milton Friedman’s 1955 essay proposing universal school vouchers for K-12 students (read Reason’s 2005 interview with him about that here).
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In a society where Americans choose practically everything, from the brands of coffee they drink in the morning to the types of cars they drive, it is understandable that parents are demanding more of a say in where they send their children to school.
“School Choice Week provides families in Colorado with the opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available for their children in advance of the 2016-2017 school year”, said Andrew R. Campanella, president of National School Choice Week.
The Buckeye State also allows for the creation of public charter schools, which are tuition free public schools that are given the freedom to be more innovative.
“I am proud to join educators, parents and students around the country to celebrate National School Choice Week and support greater opportunity and choice in our education system”.
Schools that are chosen by parents and students using public funds are not only becoming more popular, they are effective.
Held each January, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort created to shine a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child. This process is called open enrollment, or public school choice. Magnet schools, which focus on themes such as math, science, technology, and the performing arts, also exist.
As important, I’d argue that school-choice programs represent a powerful step forward in what we at Reason sometimes call “the Libertarian Moment”, or “a time of increasingly hyper-individualized, hyper-expanded choice over every aspect of our lives…a world where it’s more possible than ever to live your life on your own terms”.
She says the biggest in the state will be on Friday when thousands of school choice supporters will gather on the south steps of the capitol building.
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Of course, some – if not many – parents in MI will find that they do not have as many education options as children and families in other states.
